Genesis 1:1-2:3, The Greatness of God
Always start with prayer: Ask God to give you a greater understanding of Him and yourself through His word.
Background: In order to understand life we have to begin with the source. Genesis 1 is the story that reminds one of the greatness of God. One author summarized Genesis 1 as follows “God, by his powerful word, transforms the chaos into a holy, blessed creation.” Remember Genesis was written to the people of Israel by Moses after they had been wandering aimlessly in the desert for 40 years. Moses uses this story of creation to remind them of the greatness of their God. For like us, many of them had become infatuated with other things and needed to be reminded of the greatness of God. Try not to get bogged down in analyzing the scientific side of the story, but instead focus on Moses’ themes of the power of God and his intentions for creation.
Read Genesis 1:1-2:3 click here for NIV web text on Bible Gateway
Further Thoughts:
Verses 1-25 God the amazing creator
God is unchanging and outside of time. If He is perfectly delighted in Himself and does not need the world to make Him feel satisfied, why do you think He created the world?
What are some of the characteristics of God that come across in these opening verses?
Moses records this story in such a way that the reader would be fascinated with God. In your daily living are you this infatuated with God?
Does the God revealed in this story seem to need other people or does it seem that other people need Him? What does this mean for my life?
Verses 26-31 God’s special plan for humans
How are humans different than the other animals?
Why do you think Moses specifically says that both men and women are made in God's image?
How does being created in the image of GOD bring dignity?
How does being created in the IMAGE of God create humility?
Verse 28 tells us we were created to multiply God’s image and to rule over the world God created. How does this call still apply to your life? How does this explain some of the tendencies you see in your drive as a human?
Freebie (my thoughts on an issue): I have thought a lot about this little section of scripture on us being created in God's image. It is a very powerful concept and idea that you and I would be separate from all the other creatures and be a representation of God to the world. The most popular image we have today is a picture. In some way you and I uniquely display God's character to the world! I also have become persuaded after 8 years of marriage and thousands of pages of reading on the differences between men and women that God made us different on purpose! Together we form a greater "image" of God than a part. I believe our God given "sex" virtues complement each other. That is not to say that all the stereotypes are true or that sin hasn't shaken us from the way God intended, but I believe the image is still there in all of us. I also believe that Christ and the Holy Spirit work in our lives to restore this dignifying and humbling image in us, for we are all becoming more like our Lord Jesus the unblemished Son of God. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Chapter 2:1-3 God sets a precedent by resting
Why do you think God rested? What do you think He was doing during this resting time?
Why do you think Moses specifically recorded verse 3? What would it have said to the reader? what does it say to you about the importance of rest in God’s plan for His creation?
Challenge for the Day: Look around you and become infatuated with God as you think about Him creating everything that is around you!